Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ROYAL OAK returned 336 results.
SERBIAN CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY OF DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA OBSERVED
THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS BY SPREADING
STRAW ON THE FLOOR, THE KITCHEN TABLE, AND THROUGHOUT THE
KITCHEN TO REPRESENT JESUS' MANGER. A BURNING CANDLE WAS
PLACED ON THE TABLE AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK FOR THE
ENTIRE YEAR IF THE CANDLE WENT OUT. MY MOTHER WITNESSED
THE PRACTICE IN DUQUESNE, PENNSYLVANIA AROUND 1947.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH,
BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
AMISH COURTSHIP CUSTOM
AMISH FARMERS OF BUCKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA PAINT THEIR
GATES BRIGHT BLUE TO INDICATE THE PRESENCE OF AN UNMARRIED
DAUGHTER. THIS GIVES YOUNG MEN PERMISSION TO INTRODUCE
THEMSELVES TO THE GIRL'S PARENTS IN ORDER TO ASK THEIR
PERMISSION TO COURT THEIR DAUGHTER. IN ADDITION, AMISH
HOUSES ARE BUILT WITH A VERY SMALL WINDOW AT THE PEAK OF
THE HOUSE. THE WINDOW IS LEFT OPEN, TRADITIONALLY, SO
THAT THE YOUNG MAN MAY SECRETLY VISIT THE YOUNG LADY.
HOWEVER, THE WINDOW IS PURPOSELY BUILT TOO SMALL TO ALLOW
SUCH CLANDESTINE VISITATION.
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THAT SHE RECALLS SEEING SUCH HOUSES
IN PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE 1940'S.
Submitter comment:
THE MOTHER'S NAME IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH, BORN
OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 09-00-1982
WELSH SAINT DAVID'S DAY CELEBRATION
MARCH FIRST IS CELEBRATED AS SAINT DAVID'S DAY IN
SWANSEA, WALES. THE CHILDREN DRESS IN TRADITIONAL WELSH
CLOTHING. WOMEN WEAR DAFFODILS AND MEN WEAR LEEKS ON THEIR
PERSON IN ORDER TO REPRESENT THE COMING OF SPRING. THE
ENTIRE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES AND FEASTS THROUGHOUT THE
DAY AND WELL INTO THE EVENING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WITNESSED THE CELEBRATION IN 1978 WHILE
VISITING WALES WITH HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 1 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
GOOSE GREASE CURE
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER USED GOOSE GREASE AS AN OINTMENT
AND AS A CURE FOR COLDS. TO CURE COLDS, SHE RUBBED IT
DIRECTLY ON THE CHEST. ON ONE OCCASION, A FRIEND'S
DAUGHTER WAS IN CRISIS (COULD NOT BREATHE) WITH DIPHTHERIA.
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER MELTED SOME GOOSE GREASE, POURED
IT DOWN THE GIRL'S THROAT, AND SWABBED THE OUTSIDE OF
HER THROAT WITH MORE GOOSE GREASE. THE GIRL WAS ABLE TO
BREATHE IMMEDIATELY, AND SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED COMPLETELY.
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER CAME TO THIS COUNTRY FROM
CZECHOSLOVAKIA IN 1893. MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD THIS STORY
TO MY MOTHER IN ATHENS, OHIO AROUND 1967 AND MENTIONED
THAT SHE BELIEVED THAT GOOSE GREASE WAS USED FOR MEDICINAL
PURPOSES IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
Submitter comment:
THE GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S NAME IS MARY ANN DORULLA, BORN IN
CZECHOSLOVAKIA, DATE OF BIRTH UNKNOWN. SHE CAME TO THIS
COUNTRY IN 1893 AND MARRIED ANOTHER CZECH IMMIGRANT IN
1896. THE GRANDMOTHER, ELIZABETH DORULLA MARTIN, SETTLED
IN PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE 1920'S. THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER
IS MARY MORSILLO GINGERICH, BORN OCTOBER 3, 1937, FARRELL,
PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1982
THIS GAME MAY BE PLAYED WITH TWO PEOPLE OR MORE.
THE ONLY ITEM NEEDED IS A DICTIONARY. IF TWO PEOPLE
ARE COMPETING, THEN THE DICTIONARY IS DIVIDED AT THE
LETTER "M." PLAYER #1 CHOOSES ANY WORD IN THE FIRST
HALF OF THE DICTIONARY AND READS THE ENTIRE ENTRY
ALOUD, WITHOUT NAMING THE WORD. PLAYER #2 MUST THEN
GUESS THE WORD. THE TIME LIMIT IS AT THE DISCRETION
OF THE PLAYERS. THE ACTION IS REPEATED, WITH PLAYER #2
SELECTING A WORD FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE DICTIONARY.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE OFTEN PLAYED THIS GAME. IT IS MORE DIFFICULT
THAN IT SEEMS! THE OBJECT OF THE GAME IS THE
INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE, THEREFORE, NO SCORE IS KEPT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
AS A YOUNG, CATHOLIC CHILD, THE INFORMANT WAS
FAMILIAR WITH THE CHURCH'S OPINION OF SINNERS. AT
THE PART OF THE MASS WHEN THE CONGREGATION CHANTED,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, HAVE
MERCY ON US. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE," THE
INFORMANT RECITED, WITH GREAT RELIGIOUS ZEAL,
"LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, HAMMER
SINNERS. LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US PEACE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): INITIAL ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Prayer |
SAY, "MOTHER MAY I" AND THEN SPELL CUP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): URINATION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
TONGUE TWISTER
SAY, "THE SINKING STEAMER STILL SANK," AS FAST AS
YOU CAN, TEN TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
FUZZY WUZZY WAS A BEAR. FUZZY WUZZY HAD NO HAIR.
FUZZY WUZZY WASN'T FUZZY WAS HE?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
YESTERDAY UPON THE STAIR, THERE WAS A LITTLE MAN
THAT WASN'T THERE. HE WASN'T THERE AGAIN TODAY,
GEE I WISH HE'D GO AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
CORNER HOCKEY
YOU NEED FOUR PARTICIPANTS TO PLAY. IT IS PLAYED
INDOORS. THERE ARE TWO TEAMS OF TWO PLAYERS EACH.
EACH PLAYER STANDS IN A CORNER OF A ROOM. A PUCK
IS PLACED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR. A SIGNAL IS
GIVEN FOR THE START OF THE GAME. ALL PLAYERS CONVERGE
ON THE PUCK. THEY THEN TRY TO PUT THE PUCK IN
THE OPPOSING TEAM'S GOAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
ONE I LOVE
ONE I LOVE,
TWO, I LOVE.
THREE, I LOVE.
FOUR, I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART.
FIVE, I CAST AWAY.
SIX, HE LOVES.
SEVEN, SHE LOVES.
EIGHT, THEY BOTH DO LOVE.
NINE, HE COMES.
TEN, HE TARRIES.
ELEVEN, HE COURTS.
TWELVE, HE MARRIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): COUNTING
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1942
HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE MY WAY
AS I DRIVE THE ROAD TODAY
KEEP ME SAFE AND OTHERS TOO
SO ALL MAY LOVE AND WORSHIP YOU.
"MY MOTHER WROTE THIS PRAYER AND SAID IT
WHENEVER OUR FAMILY GOT INTO THE CAR.
WHEN WE GREW UP SHE HAD MY FATHER PRINT
IT ON A STICKER AND SHE PUT ONE IN
EACH FAMILY MEMBER'S CAR. EVERYONE IN
OUR FAMILY STILL SAYS THIS PRAYER WHEN
WE GET INTO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
DURING FAMILY WEDDINGS, AT THE RECEPTION, ALL THE WOMEN
PICK UP THE GROOM, CARRY HIM INTO THE BATHROOM, TAKE
OFF HIS TUXEDO AND LEAVE HIM. HE MUST STAY THERE UNTIL
THE BRIDE DECIDES THAT HE CAN RETURN TO THE CELEBRATION.
"IT WAS A TRADITION IN MY MOTHER'S FAMILY THAT BETWEEN THE
CHURCH CEREMONY AND THE RECEPTION THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY
TOOK THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO A FAIRLY FAMILIAR PLACE
(USUALLY SOMEONE'S HOUSE) AND TIED THEM TO A BANNISTER.
THE FAMILY WOULD THEN LEAVE THE COUPLE. IF THE BRIDE AND
GROOM COULD NOT FREE THEMSELVES BY THE TIME THE RECEPTION
STARTED, THE FAMILY WOULD RESCUE THEM. INSTEAD OF HANDING
DOWN THIS PARTICULAR TRADITION, MY MOTHER AND HER SISTERS
MADE UP A NEW ONE THAT OUR FAMILY COULD HAND DOWN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1970
DO NOT SIT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE BECAUSE
THERE ARE ANGELS ON TOP. "MY GRANDMOTHER
USED TO SAY THIS TO ME WHEN I WAS YOUNGER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
SISTER'S DAY
IN MAY OUR COUNTRY CELEBRATES MOTHER'S DAY.
IN JUNE OUR COUNTRY CELEBRATES FATHER'S DAY.
IN JULY MY SISTER AND I CELEBRATE SISTER'S DAY.
WE BUY EACH OTHER A GIFT AND SPEND THE DAY TOGETHER. WE
HAVE DONE THIS FOR THE PAST TWELVE YEARS AND HOPE TO
PASS IT ON TO OUR OWN CHILDREN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date |
Date learned: 00-00-1980 ; 00-00-1973
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, ABOUT TEN, MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD RIDE
OUR BIKES TO THE DRAINAGE TUNNELS NEAR THE HIGHWAY.
AT THE ENTRANCE OF ONE OF THE TUNNELS THERE WAS A
MESSAGE WRITTEN IN RED PAINT THAT SAID, "FORBIDDEN
ZONE - DO NOT ENTER." ON THE SIDE OF THE TUNNEL WAS A
HANDPRINT - THREE TIMES LARGER THEN AN AVERAGE HAND -
THAT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD BEEN PRESSED ON THE CEMENT WHEN IT WAS WET.
WE RODE OUR BIKES BACK HOME AND GOT OUR BOW AND ARROWS,
BB GUNS, BASEBALL BATS, CAMERAS, AND OUR FLASHLIGHTS.
WE WANTED TO INSPECT THE INSIDE OF THE TUNNEL.
WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE TUNNEL, EVERYONE WAS TOO SCARED
TO GO IN. WE ALL FINALLY WENT IN TOGETHER WHERE WE
SAW MORE WRITINGS, SUCH AS, DANGER -- GO BACK -- /LEAVE AT
ONCE. WE ALL GOT SCARED AND RAN. WE DECIDED TO CALL THIS
PHENOMENA THE SEWER MONSTER. MANY OF THE YOUNGER KIDS
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NOW WON'T GO NEAR THE DITCH BECAUSE
THEY ARE AFRAID OF THE U.F.O. THAT THEY HEARD ABOUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1985 ; 00-00-1973 ; 00-00-1985
A FRIEND FROM WORK WENT SHOPPING AT A MALL ONE DAY.
WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO HER CAR THERE WAS AN OLD LADY
SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT WHO SAID, "CAN YOU PLEASE TAKE ME
HOME?" MY FRIEND ASKED HER IF SHE WAS LOST. THE
WOMAN REPLIED," YES, PLEASE HELP ME." MY FRIEND ASKED HER IF
SHE HAD A PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO COULD COME PICK
HER UP. THE LADY GAVE HER A NUMBER. MY FRIEND TRIED THE
NUMBER BUT IT WAS BUSY, SO SHE CALLED THE POLICE. THE
POLICE CAME AND FOUND THAT THE OLD LADY WAS REALLY A MAN
WHO HAD DRESSED UP AS A LADY. HE HAD BEEN SITTING ON
A HATCHET.
Submitter comment: MY SISTER SAID THAT SHE HAD HEARD THIS STORY MANY TIMES BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1984 ; 00-00-1985
IF YOU DON'T CHEW YOUR FOOD TWENTY TWO TIMES BEFORE YOU
SWALLOW, YOU WILL GET FAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Number P686.1.20 BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 10-00-1985 ; 00-00-1970
BLUEBIRD
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD, IN AND OUT MY WINDOW,
OH, AREN'T YOU TIRED?
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS SONG SUNG WITH THREE OTHER ENDINGS.
THEY ARE; OH, AREN'T YOU WEARY? PLEASE, WON'T YOU REST?
AND, FLY, FLY, AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1970